Bengaluru Airport Terminal 2 Recognized for Integrating Local Art

A Cultural Gateway

Passengers walking through Terminal 2 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport encounter more than just departure gates and security checkpoints. The facility, which opened in 2023, features over 300 artworks dispersed throughout the domestic and international arrival and departure sections. The airport was recently named one of the top five globally in the Skytrax rankings for the World’s Best Art in the Airport.

The integration of these works is part of a deliberate design strategy. According to Yamini Telkar, Art Programme Advisor for Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), art is considered a fundamental pillar of the terminal’s design, alongside its sustainability and technology features. The terminal functions as an eco-conscious space, utilizing a garden-themed architectural style to house these installations.

Curating Local Heritage

The Art Programme, officially launched on September 8, 2023, focuses on two primary themes: the cultural heritage of Karnataka and the concept of Naurasa, or the nine emotions derived from the ancient text Bharata’s Natyashastra. The airport collaborates with organizations such as the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, and the Museum of Art and Photography to curate these displays.

More than 100 artists have contributed to the collection, with over 90% of the pieces commissioned specifically for the airport. The diverse array of works includes paintings, sculptures, digital displays, and mixed-media installations by artists such as LN Tallur, Sakshi Gupta, and Madhvi Subrahmanian. By embedding these cultural narratives directly into the physical infrastructure, the airport aims to create an immersive environment for travelers rather than treating art as an isolated display.

Why it matters: This development highlights a global trend where transportation hubs are evolving into cultural institutions. For regions like the Middle East and Egypt, which possess deep historical and artistic legacies, the Bengaluru model demonstrates how infrastructure projects can serve as powerful platforms for promoting national identity and local arts to international audiences.